National News
Nigeria-European Union Partnership project launches first ever Cannabis Cultivation Survey
Nigeria-European Union Partnership project launches first ever Cannabis Cultivation Survey
By: Our Reporter
UNODC launched the “Nigeria Cannabis Survey” at a combined side-event on “Drone, open data and more: novel methods in monitoring illicit crop cultivation” organized during the 65th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).
The survey is the outcome of joint efforts of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Nigeria , the UNODC Country Office in Nigeria (CONIG), and the UNODC Research and Trend Analysis Branch, under the project “Response to Drugs and Related Organized Crime in Nigeria” which is funded by the European Union. The project aims at supporting Nigeria’s efforts in fighting drug production, trafficking and use, and in curbing related organized crime.
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Cannabis is cultivated and produced in Nigeria for both domestic consumption and export. According to the 2018 Drug Use Survey, it is the most commonly used drug in Nigeria, with more than 10 per cent or 10.6 million of the adult population reporting use. Over half of those admitted to treatment for illegal drug use were admitted for cannabis use.
Being the first systematic exercise of its kind, the survey provides a baseline assessment of the extent of cannabis cultivation in Nigeria. It focuses on six south-western states of Nigeria that have been assessed as being at highest risk for cannabis cultivation: Edo, Ekiti, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo. The methodology includes a remote sensing survey covering an area of 4,500 km in the six identified states, capturing 17, 185 photos and collecting data from aerial overflights in 2019; and structured interviews in 2021 of NDLEA experts working in the same six states.
The key findings from of the survey are: (i) an estimated cultivation of 8,900 hectares of cannabis in six states with highest density in the border area between Edo and Ondo states; (ii) the location of cannabis fields deep inside dense forests, establishing linkages between cannabis cultivation and deforestation; (iii) cultivation of cannabis crop predominantly during the rainy season; (iv) cultivation of cannabis as a standalone crop and also in combination with other crops, the latter to hide cannabis plants, or to yield additional profits; (v); the primary role of hired labour in production indicating commercial practices and revealing that the main beneficiaries of cultivation were not necessarily those working on the fields; (vi) cultivation of cannabis in clusters; (vi); evidence of some degree of networks of cannabis farmers (viii) the predominant consumption of cannabis in the domestic market, with evidence of trafficking to other countries and; (ix) the involvement of organized crime groups in trafficking cannabis from the farms onwards.
However, the survey has its limitations. It covers only one crop (rainy season) in outdoor field settings and does not cover cannabis grown in backyards, scattered cultivation in forest areas, or greenhouse cultivation – all of which contributes to overall cannabis production in Nigeria. In addition, a qualitative research on the modus operandi and value chains can assist in assessing the extent to which cannabis cultivation poses domestic or transnational organized crime threats. Moreover, deforestation being a major threat to sustainable development in Nigeria, further research on the common drivers behind deforestation, cannabis cultivation and possibly illegal logging, can help in undertaking targeted development interventions.
Nigeria-European Union Partnership project launches first ever Cannabis Cultivation Survey
National News
VP Shettima Attends Wedding Fatiha Of Aisha Shehu Aliyu and Muhammad Jalal Babangida Aliyu
VP Shettima Attends Wedding Fatiha Of Aisha Shehu Aliyu and Muhammad Jalal Babangida Aliyu
By: Our Reporter
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday attended the wedding fatiha of Aisha, daughter of Shehu Aliyu, an Executive Director with First Bank of Nigeria, and Muhammad Jalal, son of former Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Talban Minna, at the National Mosque, Abuja.
The solemnisation, led by the Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Dr. Muhammad Kabir Adam, alongside other Imams, featured prayers for the couple’s blessings.
Vice President Shettima stood in for the bride, while Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu represented the groom, culminating in the presentation of the dowry and the formal tying of the marital knot.
The event was graced by prominent dignitaries, including former Vice President Namadi Sambo, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi, former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Turaki, Katsina State Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe, the Emir of Borgu, Niger State, Muhammad Sani Dantoro among many others.
VP Shettima Attends Wedding Fatiha Of Aisha Shehu Aliyu and Muhammad Jalal Babangida Aliyu
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
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